Frisco’s Manager of Park Services Bobby Johnson has been overseeing tree plantings for many years, helping keep Frisco’s parks, medians and public spaces green and flourishing. He also works with Frisco’s Urban Forestry Board, which has won numerous awards for the city for its tree-planting projects.

So now that it’s fall, the very best time to plant your own tree, we asked Johnson for a list of his favorite trees that have proven to be well adapted or native to the Frisco area. He obliged.

Johnson’s top 10 picks (see below), are likely to do well in your landscape setting, just as they have served to beautify common areas in Frisco. These trees, with proper care, are rugged enough for North Texas weather, capable of enduring our region’s temperature roller coaster and also water economizers.

You’ll find many of these trees on Texas A&M’s EarthKind’s list of best trees for North Texas as well because they don’t require extra water, but are able, one established, to thrive in a native climate that produces periods of scanty moisture.

Shumard oak trees at Frisco Commons.

Beyond their hardiness, it’s not hard to see why these trees would make a lot of lists — for multiple reasons. Many of these beauties are big contributors to the ecology, providing cover or berries for birds, nuts for squirrels and in the case of the pecan, nuts for anyone! Several on this list, like the Cedar Elm and all the oaks, are terrific as shade trees. They grow tall and spread, helping to cool a house or patio during the summer.

And we know you won’t forget the simple aesthetics these specimens can bring to a landscape. The crape myrtles bloom relentlessly during sizzling summers that would cook non-adapted trees. The magnolias put out large, fragrant blossoms that rival any flower and maintain a graceful, rich green look all year. The live oak also is known for its tough evergreen ways. The Chinese Pistache drops its leaves in fall, but not before providing a burst of autumn color.

Mexican plum trees at Frisco Commons are compact well-adapted trees, like the Yaupon holly, except they’re deciduous. If you’re looking for white spring flowers, this is an “almost Top 10″ choice.

The list:

Live Oak

Shumard Red Oak

A crepe myrtle, which thrives in Texas heat, blooms near old downtown.